Clear Tails How To: Ver. 1.0


OK guys, here ya' go... you're gonna get a write-up, but it is by no means the "final". I apologize in advance for any misspellings, or gramical errors (like that one) so please bear with me.

Tools Needed
-Tail Lights from 93-95 RX-7
-Oven
-Dremmel
-Misc Dremmel Bits
-Philliphs Head Screw Driver
-Blowtorch
-Heat Gun
-Clear Overhead Lighting Cover from Home Depot (I forget the exact name, it's made of acrylic)
-GOOP! or other silicone substance (for sealing)
-Black Spray Paint (I used Testors Gloss Black, many people use Flat Black)
-Six-ten (in case of screw ups) 3" Vinyl Stickers (I got mine cut at Fast Signs for 80cents each)
NOTE: Some people use 3" for the brakes and 2&3/4" for the turn signals, it's up to you.


Step 1) Disassemble Taillights. After you have removed the lights from your car (remove 2 screws pull towards outside of car) remove the 5 screw in the back, then put them in the oven for 20min @ 350degrees. The sealant will become more pliable and you should be able to pull them apart.

Step 2) Once apart, you will see 2 retaining screw that hold the factory Red/Orange signals lenses in place. Remove these screws and remove the lenses.

Step 3) Cut a piece of the clear acrylic (rectangular is fine, just make sure it is close in size). Trace an outline of the shape of the 2 lenses together OR an outline of the light housing itself.

Step 4) Here comes the fun part. Start dremmeling. I went around the perimeter of the shape I drew and intentionally cut it large to make sure I didn't cut too much. With every pass, I reevaluated fitment and made the necessary adjustments. When you get it to the point where you can force it in, and it kinda holds itself you know you are VERY close. Remember don't trim too much, or you will be sorry! (Trust Me =)

Step 5) After you have gotten the clear acrylic in place have one person hold the new lens in the housing and start heating the acrylic with a blowtorch to make it "hold" it's shape (it will need to have a slight bend in it to fit, the blowtorch will make the lens malleable and you holding it into place when heated/cooled will "set the mold")

Step 6) Take GOOP! or sealant and go around the perimeter of the lenses in a THIN, FINE, UNIFORM line. Make sure you don't rush and have a steady hand, this step can really determine how good they will look. Let dry, and onto...

Step 7) Take your 3" vinyl circles you had cut, and place them on the acrylic where you want them to be. Space them accordingly and put the cover back on the lights to make sure they are where you want.

Step 8) After the stickers are where you want, spray nice even coats of paint. I used 5 coats if I remember correctly. You do NOT want to spare on the paint, or else light will bleed through it.

Step 9) CAREFULLY remove vinyl stickers after drying. I used an exacto blade and started peeling from the middle out. The vinyl does a good job of keeping out the black paint, and doesn't tear surrounding paint either.

Step 10) Heat the existing glue on the lights to a point where it is malleable and reassemble. Hold together until paint dries, reinstall screws and you're done!]

For bulbs, I am using all red Polarg lights. I *believe* you need 4 1156's and 2 1157's but I migt have that backwards. Check your owners manuel first.

Good Luck, I hope this help out. I WILL revise this and have pictures included of all the steps, AND of the final installed product. Questions? PM me.

 

cool. doesnt sound too hard.

 

Add rice to pot
Add 1 1/2 cups water
heat untill a rolling boil
let simmer for 15 minutes
adds 15 hp to any car!

------------------

 

pictures!!

both night and day, illuminated and not would be cool.

matt

 

i dont really know whay you need step 6.

also, according to your method, do you put the lenses back into the housing, then shoot it with paint?? why dont you just paint the lenses while you have them out??

cant wait for the pics.

 

yeah, pics please!

 

Step 6 is really to hold the clear lens in place, I didn't know weather or not it would move when I put the cover back on. It's painted black, so it really doesn't matter anyhow.

As for painting it while in the housing... I didn't want to keep removing then reinstalling the lens, because after you torch it, it's a pretty tight fit(or at least it should be). Chance of breaking, warping or anything else happening is eliminated. Also you know EXACTALY were the circles will be when reinstalled.

 

lest see some pics.

 

I don't know why everyone likes these clear tail lights...personally I think they make the car look like the lights are taped off to get the car painted.

Pure Rice Uncle Ben.......

 

no, you havn't seen THEESE clear tail lights. its not the gay ricer style with the chrome and red.

 

I've seen these lights and they do look classy. Not something I plan to do to my car, but they aren't rice IMHO.

 

PICS!!!

And I am sure it all depends on the car's color as well

 

I can't believe you actually read that **** and made it to step 6.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice. If I see any FDs with clear lights in them, be forewarned that I'm parting out your car myself for what I need because you deserve such abuse for abusing your car like that.

 

Let me further bitch ...

I don't understand the purpose or mentality behind clear lenses on FD taillights. People put clear lights on cars so that they can be seen, and with some paint colors it looks better in a ricer kind of way. But on the FD, the taillight housings are tinted and shaded so that you can barely see the stock red lenses ... so what's gained by putting in clear lenses? Instead you'll be buying and trying to find bulbs that are red and orange enough so that your taillights appear somewhat red and somewhat legal. So you have pink taillights.

Not only that, they're stoopid regardless. Redder is better.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/kingofthe...c=ph%26.view=t

 

A bit opinionated aren't we DK?

Take it easy, everyone who puts clear lenses on *THEIR* car has that right. They paid/pay for their car just like you.

 

here is a pic i found from searching on this forum.



now do you guys think that is rice?? most people that replied here dont. https://www.rx7club.com/vforums/show...ighlight=clear

 

Looks great.

 

Whoa....I digress...Do you have to use red bulbs now? Do they make red bulbs?

 

woah, how'd this get brought up again?

I guess it's about damn time I get some installed pics up, bnut I have been damn lazy...

I promise you guys I'll get my installed pics up... maybe with a 3 foot flame shootin out tha tailpipe too...

 

I don't think they are rice... And I think with red bulbs, maybe they would look awesome on your silver FD.... Oh and 3 foot flames are always good... But can I see a pic of that blonde you posted a while back again??? The one that was cold looking at your car.... j/k... had to bring it up though...

 

I almost forgot... where were the pics of your car again?

 

you mean her?

 

yep that's her...

 

My car was stolen and stripped by a shop, monkeyfucker. And I never cared about the looks so the pictures don't matter ... but the directory was posted above. Go ahead and flash your purchased dick and "personality" out to everyone, though.

That girl has some boobies.

 

some tig ol fake bitties